Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities and varicose veins of the lower extremities have been granted. The claim for an initial compensable rating for lumbar strain remains denied.

The Veteran's median nerve injury of the left wrist is not manifested by symptoms indicative of severe incomplete paralysis or complete paralysis, and his arthritis in the left index finger and thumb and middle, ring, and little fingers does not meet the criteria for a separate initial evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right arm, right hand and wrist, bilateral elbow, and left knee disorders are etiologically related to her service-connected right foot disability with RSD.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for residuals of fractured left fourth and fifth fingers, to include radicular pain through the hand and wrist, due to incomplete service treatment records. The AMC/RO is instructed to obtain any outstanding inpatient clinical records from Fort Stewart, Georgia, dated from March 1983 to July 1983, as well as outpatient treatment records and a copy of the separation examination report.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration of service connection for numbness and tingling in the bilateral upper extremities, including a review of potential theories such as direct service connection or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting the assignment of a total disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left wrist disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting an examination.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and development of his medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome was denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service and the current condition is not related to active service.,For the period prior to May 1, 2009, the Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent. From May 1, 2009 forward, it did not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded due to the absence of certain VA treatment records prior to July 2008. The claims for service connection will be reconsidered based on this additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a low back disorder, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, right lumbar radioculopathy, and other conditions, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his physical limitations and mental health issues.

The Veteran's right wrist joint pains have been found to be due to an undiagnosed illness, resulting in a grant of service connection. However, there is no evidence of a chronic condition associated with esophagitis reflux during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED to the RO for issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding entitlement to a higher rate of special monthly compensation based on loss of use of three extremities. The Veteran must file a substantive appeal within 60 days from the date of the Statement of the Case.

The Board denied service connection for circulatory problems, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper extremity neuropathy, and right and left lower extremity neuropathy as secondary to medications taken for a service-connected low back disability. Service connection was also denied for bilateral hearing loss and sinus condition.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating for his left wrist disability, including residuals of a fracture and chronic denervation of the ulnar nerve, was denied as there is no evidence that the current symptoms are due to service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation and a higher rating for his right wrist injury. The decision is considered to be supported by the evidence at that time.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, left hand due to lack of new and material evidence. The only new evidence submitted was duplicative of previous records.

The Board has accepted the Veteran's October 2007 substantive appeal as timely filed, allowing her to proceed with her claims for higher initial ratings for various service-connected disabilities. The effective date of these awards is set at November 1, 2005.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected right wrist disability is being remanded due to the need to obtain SSA records and provide a contemporaneous VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for edema of the hips and hands, bilateral shoulder disorder, and thoracic spine disorder due to incomplete development. The Veteran's service connection claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.